Union make the grade in first-half report card

As the Union walked through the tunnel and toward their locker room -- moments after polishing off Saturday's thrilling victory on a stoppage-time goal -- someone was waiting for them to cross the threshold.

It was Nick Sakiewicz.

How often do you see a team's CEO issuing high-fives after victories? Then again, how often do you see a series of events similar to what the Union have experienced?

Advertisement

A four-game skid to open the year. A coaching change. A semifinal appearance in the U.S. Open Cup. A three-game winning streak to reinvigorate the club. All of this ... in the season's first half?

"And there's still a lot of work to do," Sakiewicz said. "(Saturday's comeback win over Montreal was) another great moment at PPL Park. The guys played Union soccer, and when you play Union soccer you get a good result. It was clear they were tired in the first half, from a long stretch of games. They came into the locker room, dug within themselves, came out -- and that's Union soccer. I'm very, very proud of this group."

So at the mathematical midpoint of the MLS season, the Union are eight points removed from one of the Eastern Conference's five playoff berths. Who'd have thought that was feasible June 13, when Sakiewicz fired Union boss Peter Nowak? Who'd have thought interim manager John Hackworth could inspire a group of timid youngsters into making a turnaround? Well, Sakiewicz did.

"This, I think, shows the character of this club," he said.

Sakiewicz graded the Union's character. Now it's my turn to grade the club. And with the help of a few Twitter followers, here's how the Union's efforts in the first 17 games played out:

GOALKEEPERS

First-year starter Zac MacMath has performed admirably. The 21-year-old, who earlier this season posted a franchise-record 408-minute scoreless streak, is demonstrating why the Union took him fifth overall in the 2011 SuperDraft.

His shot-blocking prowess and his instinctual ability to know when to leave the goalbox have been critical for the Union, who have tried eight different players on the backline and traded away their captain centerback.

While MacMath could use work on his crosses, he's been steady. Also, Chase Harrison and Chris Konopka have been low-cost, high-reward backups.

Grade: B

Twitter feedback: (@LucasMurray) "Zac (may) look like a teenager, but his poise in the cage has been that of a veteran keeper."

FORWARDS

The top performers in the Union's attack, in terms of playing time and fan support, have been diametrically opposed from the start of the season.

First, there's Lio Pajoy -- the ballyhooed Colombian striker who has played nearly every minute of every game. Fans placed a heavy dose of pressure upon Pajoy, who has scored five goals in MLS play and twice in the U.S. Open Cup. Early on, that pressure might not have been justified. But Pajoy's playing like he belongs on the pitch.

Then, there's Jack McInerney -- the third-year striker who, until last month, hadn't made the Union's gameday roster since April. With the exit of Nowak, McInerney has rediscovered his confidence with three goals in his last five matches.

Add in super-sub striker Antoine Hoppenot, rookie Chandler Hoffman and first-year guy Josue Martinez, and the Union have the potential to be one of the most offensively dynamic teams in MLS. And to think they were once among the league's least-potent clubs.

This bunch has to be defined by its best components: Michael Farfan, Brian Carroll and Michael Lahoud.

Farfan and Carroll have been consistent, in their respective attacking and defending roles. Similarly, Lahoud -- for whom Califf was traded -- doesn't get enough acclaim for his mile-a-minute efforts on the pitch.

This is an unsung group that, aside from Farfan's stoppage-time winner at Los Angeles, has not yielded as much praise as it deserves. Lump in Freddy Adu, who has shaken off up-and-down showings with refreshed play of late, and Gabriel Gomez, who's tied for the team lead in goals, and the unit only gets stronger.

Keon Daniel and Roger Torres need to show more if they want minutes in this group.

Grade: B--

DEFENDERS

How can you possibly improve after casting off one of your top defenders midseason? By inserting into his place on the pitch a largely untested third-year midfielder.

Amobi Okugo has played brilliantly since transitioning into the central defense after the trade of Danny Califf. All-Star centerback and new captain Carlos Valdes has paired with Okugo well in sweeping away most chances on a nightly basis.

Other noteworthy defenders include exceptional right back Sheanon Williams and left back Gabriel Farfan. It's incredible -- the Union sought a left back with a true left foot in the offseason, signed one (in Porfirio Lopez) and still ended up back where they started with Farfan. It's working, so why alter it?

Rookie Ray Gaddis has provided decent depth in the back. And there's no telling what the Union will get out of international transfer signee Bakary Soumare, whenever the centerback is healthy, but they're not hurting in the interim.

Grade: B+

Twitter feedback: (@KHCroce) "MVP @Gfarfan88."

COACHING

There's no question the Union pulled the plug on Nowak and handed the keys to Hackworth at the right time.

And in turn, Hackworth has transformed the Union into a contender to make the MLS Cup Playoffs for a second consecutive season. Rob Vartughian and Brendan Burke have handled their increased responsibilities with poise, rounding out Hackworth's technical staff.

Should Hackworth stay on this pace, with four wins in six MLS matches, for the rest of the season, he'll get a passing grade, for sure.